Evaluation of barley grain for feedlot cattle in Australia

• Grant number: 23/02882-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Rezende Siqueira
• Grantee: Saulo Teixeira Rodrigues de Almeida
• Supervisor: Mariana Caetano
• Host Institution: APTA Regional. Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Adelaide, Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/08742-5 - Evaluation of aerobic stability of supplements containing reconstituted corn grain silage using different inoculants and their effects on metabolism and performance of beef cattle during finishing phase on pasture with high supplementation, BP.MS

Abstract

Barley is one of the primary sources of energy used to feed beef cattle in Australia. The diversity in test weight and screenings of barley received by Australian feedlots often raises questions of the nutritive value of different grades of barley. The study aims to investigate the rumen degradability, in vitro volatile fatty acids production and starch content of different grades of barley grain and processing methods (dry-rolled, tampered and ensiled). Starch, crude protein and water-soluble carbohydrates contents of each treatment will be analysed. Dry matter and starch degradability will be quantified after 12, 24 and 48 hours of in situ incubation in addition to in vitro tests for volatile fatty acids determination. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of starch granules of the same samples will be performed. Additionally, samples of reconstituted corn grain silage and corn grain from the project FAPESP 2022/08742-5 will be taken to the University of Adelaide for characterization on electronic microscope. (AU)